@daveNOSPAMmsharp: "Hi all,
I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while now. 
I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the copy 
that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product key, it 
said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no avail. I ended 
up installing the 32bit again.
My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should I 
have a 2nd license key which I never got?
Many Thanks,
Dave "
    @daveNOSPAMmsharp: "Thanks for the quick reply. My understanding is that at retail you simply 
buy "Windows 7 Home Premium" and it comes with the two DVDs, one for 64 bit 
and one for 32 bit. I might understand that once you have made your choice 
you're stuck, but where you have entered a product key you have not yet even 
established internet connectivity.
I believe what you are saying is that I should have two product keys. I've 
fired off an email to Microsoft and will hopefully get this resolved.
"Drew" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:i0nfm7$4rf$<email_address>
<quote>"
    @Aylen1957: "Unless you purchased 2 licenses specifically then you would have only one. 1 
license for the 32bit or 1 license for the 64bit. You cannot install both 
with the same license. Now if I misunderstood and you are simply getting a 
error than a quick call to Microsoft will clear up and activate your copy.
"David Sharp" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>"
    @Maratonmannen: "I have the same copy (boxed retail) and it is one key in the box, and it 
works with both 32- and 64-bit. But only one at a time. 
XP x64 SP2 - Vista x64 SP2 - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 in tripleboot
<quote>"
    @james: "On Sat, 3 Jul 2010 13:45:22 +0100, "David Sharp"
<quote>
 Don't know if it makes any difference but was your 64-bit install a
clean install or did you just install over the original 32 bit files?
And the same question for the 32-bit to 32-bit."
    @dcp: "You should have only one product key. You may only have either the 32 or 
64-bit installed at any time, but may switch between them as often as 
you like.
If the key does not work for the 64-bit DVD, install without entering a 
key, which gives you a 30-day trial, and use telephone activation.
<quote>"
    @daveNOSPAMmsharp: "Hi James,
I was replacing the hard disk in my laptop with a new one so it was a full 
install.
Dave
"James" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>"
    @ChiefZekeNoSpam: "One key and I used it to install the 32-bit and 64-bit versions in separate 
partitions - been that way for months and no problems have popped up.
"David Sharp" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>"
    @rjohnson: "And if you read your End User License Agreement (EULA) is specifically 
states there can be one, and only one, installation with a single key.
2.	INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
	a.  One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the
	software on one computer. That computer is the �licensed
	computer.�
	b.  Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two
	processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless
	otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
	software on any other computer.
	c.  Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license
	terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
	d.  Alternative Versions. The software may include more than
	one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use
	only one version at one time.
<quote>"
    @newshelper: "<quote>
Neither.
The product key was for you to utilize to install either the 32-bit or 
64-bit version of the OS.  One product key for one product.  You can 
uninstall/remove the 32-bit install and install the 64-bit version on that 
machine - if I recall correctly.
You are welcome to purchase another license/copy of Windows 7. ;-)
Shenan Stanley
     MS-MVP
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
<url> "
    @ChiefZekeNoSpam: "Correct - one copy per computer. I have one computer, one hard drive, two 
partitions - therefore I can only use one copy at a time as I can only boot 
into one operating system on one computer at a time. That's what the 
agreement says - in plain English.
"Bobby Johnson" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:%<email_address>
<quote>"
    @rjohnson: "It's too bad you don't comprehend the English language better.
(a.) States "...one copy on one computer."
If you have two partitions, one with 32-bit and one with 64-bit, that is 
TWO (2)!  One plus One equals Two
A direct violation of the EULA.
(d.)  States "you may install and use only one version at one time."
If you install 32-bit and 64-bit that is TWO (2) installs!
A direct violation of the EULA
Nowhere does it mention "...boot into one operating system on one 
computer at a time."
Most courts don't accept ignorance as a plea of innocence.  Especially 
since you must agree to acceptance of the EULA at some point to complete 
the installation.
<quote>"
    @newshelper: "<snipped>
<quote>
That would be true if the EULA stated you could only use/run/operate one 
copy at a time.  It states you can only *install and use* - so you can, in 
accordance with the EULA, have only one copy installed *and* use that one 
copy.
If it said "install or use", then you would have an argument.  The *and* 
means that both cases must be true: *install* and *use*.
As far as any problems showing up just because you have been able to do it - 
that's a moot point.  I can steal all sorts of things and no problems will 
show up if I am 'smart' about it.  Doesn't mean I am doing anything 
legitimate - just means I have found the loophole - whether or not that 
loophole should actually just be a 'proper way to use' is another question - 
but that is not one for discussion here in the Windows 64-bit General 
newsgroup, IMO.
Shenan Stanley
     MS-MVP
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
<url> "
    @lorne_anderson: ""Bobby Johnson" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:#f$<email_address>
<quote>
Most courts will not rule this way because there is also an overriding 
unfair contract terms law that allows courts to refuse companies the right 
to impose unreasonable restrictions whatever their conditions say.  Here it 
is impossible to use both systems at the same time (as long as they are on 
one computer) so in most countries Microsoft would lose if they tried to 
prosecute a home user with this setup.   They courts will just say that 
common sense interprets their EULA to mean one user can use either operating 
system and if the user has both installed in a way that only one can be used 
at any time that is OK.  I am basing this on experience in Europe - the USA 
may be different. "
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